You will need a 40- or 60-quart pot with a basket, a burner, and a propane gas tank. You will also need a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the oil and a meat thermometer to check the turkey is done. For added safety, have a fire extinguisher and potholders nearby.
Place fryer on a level dirt or grassy area. Never fry a turkey indoors, in a garage or in any other structure attached to a building. Avoid frying on wood decks, which could catch fire, and concrete, which can be stained by the oil.
It’s best to fry 8- to 10-pound turkeys and turkey parts like breast, wings, and thighs. You’ll need approximately 5 gallons of oil; more for larger turkeys. Turkey can be injected with a marinade, coated with breading or seasoned with a rub before cooking. An 8- to 10-pound turkey needs about 1 cup of marinade, with 2/3 of it going into the breast and the other 1/3 going into the rest of the turkey. Don’t not stuff a turkey you intend to fry.
Deep frying a turkey is a quick and delicious way to cook it up crispy and juicy for Thanksgiving. But using the right amount of oil is critical – too little can lead to uneven cooking, while too much increases the risk of dangerous spillovers. So properly measuring your fryer oil is a key safety step.
Follow this guide to learn techniques for accurately gauging oil volume before frying your turkey. I’ll explain the importance of measuring oil correctly and walk through foolproof methods to determine the precise quantity needed for your pot
Why Measuring Oil Matters
There are two main reasons getting the oil amount right is so important:
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Ensuring the turkey cooks properly and evenly. If the oil level is too low, parts of the turkey above the oil will be undercooked.
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Preventing messy, hazardous oil overflows. Overfilling leads to more boil overs and potential fryer fires.
With improper oil volume, you either end up with raw turkey or hot oil spilled all over your deck. So take the time upfront to measure carefully for success.
Calculating How Much Oil You Need
As a general guideline plan on using 1 gallon of oil per every 4 pounds of turkey. For example, for a 16 lb turkey (average size) you’ll need about 4 gallons of oil.
Remember to account for extra headspace so the turkey is submerged with room for the oil to bubble and circulate during cooking. The oil should cover the turkey by 3-4 inches.
Using the Water Displacement Method
The most accurate way to measure oil is by water displacement:
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Place your thawed, dried turkey in the empty fryer pot.
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Fill with water until the turkey is covered by 3-4 inches.
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Mark the water line on the pot with tape or marker.
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Remove turkey and dry the pot thoroughly.
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Pour oil up to the water fill line.
This allows you to visually see the exact amount of liquid needed to submerge the turkey safely. It’s foolproof.
Alternative Measurement Methods
If you don’t want to use water displacement, there are a couple other options:
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Measure Turkey Volume: Calculate cubic inches of your turkey’s volume. Allow 3-4 inches of extra headspace. Multiply total volume by 0.125 to get quarts of oil needed.
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Estimate by Weight: Use 0.5 quarts of oil per pound of turkey weight. A 16 lb turkey needs 16 * 0.5 = 8 quarts.
No matter how you measure, accuracy is key for proper frying!
Choosing an Appropriate Fryer Pot
Make sure to use a pot tall enough to safely hold the required amount of oil after turkey displacement. Stainless steel pots with thicker bottoms work best for even heating.
Avoid aluminum and nonstick pots that can give off harmful fumes. Never overfill a pot, which causes dangerous boiling over.
Tips for Safely Preparing and Heating Oil
Once you’ve measured out the oil, follow these tips for safe setup:
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Ensure pot is completely clean and dry before adding oil.
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Set up outside away from structures on a flat, stable surface.
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Gradually heat oil to 350-375°F. Monitor temp with a thermometer.
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Heat slowly over medium heat. Never leave oil unattended as it heats!
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Keep children and pets safely away.
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Have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand just in case.
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Use well-insulated oven mitts/gloves to carefully handle hot oil.
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Allow oil to fully cool before disposing after use.
Proper prep and care when heating oil prevents accidents.
Key Takeaways for Measuring Fryer Oil
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Accurate oil measurement prevents undercooking and dangerous spillovers
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Use water displacement to determine the precise quantity needed
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Allow for 3-4 inches of headspace above submerged turkey
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Select an appropriate, tall pot to safely hold measured oil
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Always heat oil slowly and monitor temperature closely
With these tips for measuring oil down pat, you’ll be ready to fry up the tastiest, safest deep-fried turkey this Thanksgiving! Just take extreme caution when working with multiple gallons of scalding hot oil.
Measuring Your Cooking Oil For Deep Frying A Turkey…101
FAQ
How to know how much oil to put in a turkey fryer?
How much oil for 14 lb turkey?
Does turkey have to be fully submerged in oil?
How much oil does a turkey fryer take?
Turkey (10-12 pounds max): Smaller birds fry more evenly and safely, while larger birds are more difficult to handle. Turkey fryer with burner: Choose a stable, outdoor-only propane burner. Oil (peanut or canola): About three to four gallons to submerge the bird fully.
How do I choose the best Turkey frying oil?
Consider these factors when choosing your turkey frying oil: High smoke point: Look for oils with smoke points over 400°F. Good options include peanut, safflower and refined avocado oils. Neutral taste: Opt for mild flavored oils like peanut or canola so they don’t overpower the turkey’s natural flavor.
How do you deep fry a 12 lb Turkey?
Place the pot on the burner; clip a deep-fry thermometer to the side of the pot. Add a neutral oil with a high-smoke point to the pot up to the fill line you made earlier (you’ll need about 4–5 gal. to fry a 12–14-lb. turkey in a 30-qt. pot). How do you know if a turkey deep fryer is good?
How big should a deep fryer be?
In addition to having enough space and the correct equipment for frying, there are a few other watch-outs when deep-frying a turkey. Don’t overfill the pot with oil. A 30- to 34-quart deep-fry pot is perfectly sized for a 12- to 15-pound turkey.
How do you Dry a fried turkey?
Season the turkey with kosher salt and then let it absorb the salt for at least 24 hours in the fridge. If space allows, leave the turkey uncovered, which helps dry the turkey even further. Pat the turkey dry again just before frying. Turn off the burner and lower the turkey into the oil very slowly.
How much oil do you put in a thawed Turkey?
The oil level should be 3-4 inches above the top of the turkey. The easiest way to determine the precise oil amount needed is by using the water displacement method: Place your thawed, dry turkey in the empty fryer pot. Fill the pot with water until the turkey is completely submerged, with about 3-4 extra inches of headspace.